The cost of transitioning is not cheap – the process can be medically necessary, but that doesn’t mean insurance outlets are always keen to foot the bill. But an event happening this weekend aims to give one local trans woman a bit of help with this issue.

Enchantment Under the Sea, a TG Prom event, happens this Saturday, 9:30 PM 4/19 at the Gay Community Center of Richmond. Natalie Gates will be the benefactor of everyone’s kindness this weekend, and she said she hopes it can become “an annual event to help other Trans people raise the necessary funds for their surgeries.”

The River City Roller Girls, Richmond’s female roller derby team, are the main sponsors of the event and League VP Tomeka Peters said the cause Natalie is bringing forward are similar to the issues the RCRG support. “For people to come out and be comfortable with themselves and with each other… how trans people are great and no different from us.”

Peters said this message of inclusion, the one Saturday night’s event will be supporting, is something derby girls around the country share. “It’s something roller derby leagues support everywhere,” said Peters. “It’s about supporting the LGBT community.”

Gates said beyond the initial message of support, she hopes the event gives trans folks around the city a chance to relive the prom they might have been denied.

“I attended my Prom wearing a Tuxedo in High School and I wanted the opportunity to attend Prom as I wish I could have,” said Gates. “I’m thinking of this as a “TLGB” event. It is an LGBT event where the focus has shifted more towards trans issues and identities.”

DJ Connie Sue will be spinning jams. Heavy Midgets had to cancel, but the event should be a blast. Tickets are currently on sale at Babe’s of Carytown, Strange matter, and Diversity thrift for $10. They will be $15 at the door.